Adopting AI in Australian Healthcare: What Does It Look Like?

Rapid innovation in Artificial Intelligence (AI) technologies is rapidly transforming many industries, such as consumer retail and logistics. However, AI is experiencing a new frontier of challenges in the healthcare sector.

There has been a call for the ethical and responsible adoption of AI technologies such as Large Language Models (LLMs) within the healthcare sector, notable from leading industry body, the Australian Medical Association (AMA). 

This has fuelled debate within the healthcare space on the role of AI in the workforce, with new graduates from a Masters in Healthcare Leadership to well-heeled industry participants debating the role these powerful technologies should have in today’s tech-heavy medical landscape.

AMA Calls for Oversight 

The AMA has long been considered a leading body in advocacy for new and changing practices in the medical sector. Releasing a position paper on the role of AI in August 2023, the peak body representing physicians called for the responsible implementation of such technologies within the industry.

In particular, the AMA noted that while AI technologies are powerful, ultimately, they should not be considered as a replacement for traditional practitioner-led medical treatment. Instead, the paper called for the implementation of models that enhance human clinical practice.

Additionally, the position paper called for the considered development of patient-oriented models — emphasising that models and practices created should fundamentally prioritize patient-centered care. The position paper considers a range of key areas in the development of AI, including maintaining privacy controls on healthcare data, no matter whether it is identifiable or not.

Fundamentally, it’s important to consider the role of AI in patient-oriented healthcare. AI can be a powerful tool — with new and emerging platforms providing valuable insights in fields as varied as cancer detection, robotic surgery, and medication development.

AI mustn’t be used as a tool to replace the role of medical staff. While other industries, notably those involved in software development, have experienced significant layoffs due to the presence of AI in the workforce, the AMA highlights that it’s important that AI tools on their own are not sufficient to provide well-informed medical treatments.

Identifying AI Views in Healthcare

How does the broader healthcare industry feel about the implementation of AI? It’s important to understand how the industry perceives AI and applications, particularly as it develops and becomes further enmeshed in healthcare.

For one researcher at Southern Cross University, identifying industry attitudes towards AI and helping professionals understand how AI will impact their roles is a crucial part of researcher Lucy Shinner’s remit.

As part of her doctorate, she pioneered the development of a tool, known as the Shinners Artificial Intelligence Perception (SHAIP) questionnaire, which allowed for Dr Shinner to gather key insights on the perceived role and impact of AI within the healthcare sector.

Dr Shinner’s work has proved critical in breaking down barriers between what’s perceived and possible in the world of AI and healthcare. Commenting on the role of AI in healthcare, she noted that “There are a lot of trust issues and this often comes down to understanding just how AI works”, highlighting that “The trick will be empowering healthcare professionals to come up with the ideas and get involved in or lead the development of new technology that will improve care delivery.”

Dr Shinner’s work is crucial in understanding how practitioners perceive the influence of AI within the workforce. As the healthcare sector continues to embrace the role of AI platforms, it will be critical for peak bodies and researchers to come together to identify ways that it can be used to drive successful patient outcomes.

For more information: https://online.scu.edu.au/